Barris reveals secrets of Great Escape in Whitby Library appearance

Earlier this fall, journalist/broadcaster Ted Barris interviewed fellow author Terry Fallis about his most recent book in front of an audience at the Whitby Public Library. On Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013, Barris returns, to talk about his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!.

When: 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 14, 2013.

Where: Whitby Public Library, 405 Dundas St. W., Whitby, Ontario.

Contact: Andrea Adair Tippins, 905-668-6531, aatippins@whitbylibrary.on.ca

Trafford and Barris repeat Great Escape presentation

Just in case you missed their talk at the Barbara Frum Library, earlier this week, Tyler Trafford and Ted Barris are repeating a joint presentation about their respective books on a near mythical story of the Second World War – The Great Escape. Over a luncheon, on Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013, Barris and Trafford will speak at the main Toronto Public Library. Trafford’s new book Almost A Great Escape explores the love affair between his mother and Great Escaper Jens Muller. Meanwhile, Barris’s new book The Great Escape: A Canadian Story illustrates that the most famous mass breakout of POWs during the Second World War wasn’t full of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage.

When: 12:30 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 28, 2013.

Where: Toronto Public Library, 789 Yonge St., Toronto.

Contact: Joseph Romain, Toronto Public Library, 416-395-5577,  jromain@torontopubliclibrary.ca

Trafford and Barris team up on Great Escape stories

In a unique double-header, authors Ted Barris and Tyler Trafford team up to speak about their respective books on a near mythical story of the Second World War – The Great Escape. At 7:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013, Barris and Trafford will speak at the Barbara Frum Library. Trafford’s new book Almost A Great Escape explores the love affair between his mother and Great Escaper Jens Muller. Meanwhile, Barris’s new book The Great Escape: A Canadian Story illustrates that the most famous mass breakout of POWs during the Second World War wasn’t full of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage.

When: 7 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 26, 2013.

Where: Barbara Frum Library, 20 Covington Rd., Toronto.

Contact: Joseph Romain, Toronto Public Library, 416-395-5577, jromain@torontopubliclibrary.ca

Barris tells Great Escape story to Newmarket Probus

For its final event of the 2012 season, the Newmarket Probus Club finishes with a bang. On Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013, the club has booked Ted Barris for a talk and visual presentation based on his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!.

When: 10 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 18, 2013.

Where: Seton Hall, 17955 Leslie St., Newmarket, Ontario.

Contact: Richard Furlong, 905-853-4625, furlongrj@rogers.com

Barris gives Great Escape talk at Askennonia Vets Luncheon

At its annual “Honour Our Veterans” Luncheon in 2011, the Askennonia Senior Centre featured a visit from historian/author Ted Barris. This year, on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013, he returns, bringing a talk and visual presentation based on his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!.

When: Noon, Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2013.

Where: Askennonia Senior Centre, 527 Len Self Blvd., Midland, Ontario.

Contact: Judy Contin, executive director of Askennonia Senior Centre, 705-526-7609, jcontin@rogers.com

Barris returns to Simcoe County with Great Escape talk

Last fall, the Simcoe County Historical Association featured a visit from historian/author Ted Barris. This year, teaming up with the Barrie Royal Canadian Legion, on Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013, he returns, bringing a talk and visual presentation based on his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!.

When: 7:30 p.m., Tuesday, Nov. 19, 2013.

Where: Barrie, Ontario.

Contact: Earl Elliott, 866-734-3600, earl.elliott@rogers.com

Burlington Historical Society features Barris and Great Escape story

On Monday, Oct. 7, 2013, the Burlington Historical Society will feature a visit from historian Ted Barris. Ted brings a talk and visual presentation about his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!.

When: 7 p.m., Monday, Oct. 7, 2013.

Where: Burlington Central Library, 2331 New Street, Burlington, Ontario.

Contact: Ken Davy, 905-333-1345, kdavy@cogeco.ca

Great Escape story featured at Shedden Remembrance

Each fall, for much of the past decade, Ted Barris has made special arrangements to be available to speak at the annual Southwold Township Remembrance observance. The organizers have invited Ted back to speak on Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013, as part of its annual tribute to veterans. This year, Ted brings a talk and visual presentation about his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!.

When: 9:30 a.m., Sunday, Nov. 10, 2013.

Where: Southwold Township Centre, Shedden, Ontario.

Contact: Michele Lant, 519-769-2010, mlant@twp.southwold.on.ca

Barris brings Great Escape talk to North Burlington Probus

The North Burlington Women’s Probus Club has invited back Ted Barris as its guest speaker this fall. Members may recall (back in 2011) his presentation on the importance of getting veterans to talk. On Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013, Ted brings a talk and visual presentation about his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW breakout was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!.

When: 10 a.m., Thursday, Nov. 7, 2013.

Where: Burlington Arts Centre, Burlington, Ontario.

Contact: Sue Auld, 905-632-6433, suzanne.auld@bell.net

Barris presents Great Escape story at Harvest Cafe

The annual “Harvest Café” in Flesherton, Ontario, has invited Ted Barris as a special guest this year. On Friday evening, Oct. 25, 2013, Ted brings a talk and visual presentation about his brand new book, The Great Escape: A Canadian Story. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Hollywood blockbuster movie The Great Escape, (with Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough, etc.). But as Ted will demonstrate drawing from his book, the most famous WWII POW escape was not a story of British heroes and Yankee know-how. The Great Escape was very much a story of Canadian leadership and courage. It’s more exciting than the Hollywood movie. And it’s all true!.

When: 7 p.m., Friday, Oct. 25, 2013.

Where: Grey Highlands Public Library, Flesherton, Ontario.

Contact: Wilda Allen, 519-924-2241, flepub@bmts.com